Envelop-sealing and stamp-affixing machine.



E. LBRASSBUR.

ENVELOP SEALING AND STAMP AFFIXING MACHINE.

AYPLIGATION FILED MAB. 23, 1907. d

Patented Jan. .21, 19710.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

/NVENT'OH N5 mi? E. J. BRASSBUR.

ENVELOP SBALING AND STAMP AFPIXING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MARZS, 1907. 945,744. f Patented Jan. 11,` 1910.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N VEN TOR M A TTORNE Y W/TNESSES E. J. BRASSEUR. BNVELOP SEALINGAND STAMP APFIXING MACHINE.

' APPLICATION FILED m1111123, 1907. 945,744. Patented Jan. 11,1910.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

/ N VEN 70H E. J. BRASSEUR.

ENVELOP SEALING AND STAMP AIIIXING MACHINE.

APPLICATION IILBD MAB.. 23,

Patented Jan. 11, 1910.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

La, i,

INVENTOR W/ TNE SSE S I E. J. BRASSEUR.

ENVELOP SEALING AND STAMP AFFIXING MACHINE.

Patented Jan. 11,1910.

APPLICATION FILED MAR 23, 1907.

W/TNESSES B. J. BRASSEUR.

ENVELOP SEALING AND STAMP AFFIXING MAOHIN-E.

APPLICATION FILED MAB. 23, 190'?.

Patented Jan. 11, 1910.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

W/TNESSES A WOR/VE y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ERNEST J'. BBASSEUR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO A. B. DICK COMPANY, OF

" CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS.

ENVELOP-SEALING AND STAMP-AFFIXING MACHINE.

i Specification of YLetters Patent.

Patented Jan'. 11. 1910.

Application led March 23, 1907. Serial No. 364,125.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, Ennnsr J. BnAssnUR, a subject of the King of Bel `um, residing at Chicago,` in the county vof ook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Im rovement in Envelop-Sealing and Stamp-A Xing Machines, of which the following is a specification. 1

This invention relates to machines for sealing envelops and afiixin stamps thereto.

The object ofthe invention is to provide a machine for this purpose which is'eiicient and reliableI in o eration, which can be run at comparative y high speed, and which is entirely automatic in its operation, the stamps andenvelops bein fed successively, the envelops sealed an the stamps aixed thereto without manipulation by the operator. A further object 0f the invention is to provideJV a machine of this character in which the stamps are fed into the machine in the form of sheets, just as they are sold in quantities. To this end, the machine is so constructed as to receive a' sheet of stamps, to feed the sheet forward, cut strips of Stamps from one edge thereof successively and then feed this stamp-strip to mechanism for severing the individual stamps therefrom and sealing them upon v the envelops.

The preferred embodiment of my inven- 'tin is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,` in whiehl Figure 1 is a top view of the 4machine; Fig. 2 is a section inside one of the sideframes, the section line being indicated by the line 2 2 o f Fig. 1; Fig is a similar section inside the other side-frame on line 3 3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a central section on line 4-4 ofFig. 1; Fi 5 is a trans'- verse section on line 5-5 o? Fig. 4g-Figo is a detail view of a portion of the operating mechanism; Fig. 7 1s a detailview of the `stamp-feeding mechanism; Fig. 8 is a detail view in section on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7;

Figs. 9 and 10 are detail views of portions of the operating mechanism on lines 9- 9 and 10-10 respectively of Fig. 6; Fi 11 is aY detail View hereinafter referre to, and Fig. 12 is a perspective view of one of the pairs of forwarding rollers and the lifters coacting therewith.

Referring to the drawings, the machine has a base 1 and side-frames 2 and 3 erected thereon; the operating parts of themachine al1 lie between and are supported u on these side-frames, with the exce tion o the receilver for the unsealed enve ops, which rests upon the. base 1 between the side-frames. T- is receiver consists of a frame 4 having upright posts. 5 at the cornersv thereof, the two at the sides ofthe frame `carrying rails 6 and 7 at their'iipper ends. Each of these rails is inclined throughout the greater portion of its length, and beyond-the upfper end 4o f this inclined portion is prov1 ed with an extension the upper surface of which is concave. The rail 7 forms one side-guide for a stack of envelops 8 (Fig.`

4); the other side-guide 9, is adjustable to- .ward and away from the guide'7, in order to adapt the machine for operation with envelops of varying sizes. This guide 9 consists of a rail having'integral depending arms 10 carrying a member 11, which is adapted to slide back and forth upon a strip y 1'2 extending between and secured at its ends to the sides of the frame 4. A set-screw 13 is threaded into the member 11 and is adapted to engage the strip 12 to lock member 11 and the uide 9 in any adjusted position.

- zExtending inwardly from one of the posts 5 at the side of the receptacle on which the rail 7 is mounted, isa stud 14 4) on which is pivotally mounted a support 15; the other end of thisgsup ort-has a depending finger 16' extending through a slot in a stud 17 on the forward post 5 at that side of the receptacle, to guide the support in its movements about its pivot, the stud 111. A similar support 18 isk pivotally mounted upon a stud 18 extending inwardly from the side-guide 9, and4 the forward end0f this su port is similarly guided by a slotted stud 17 Vprojecting from the rail 9. The forwardv ends of the pivoted supports 15 and 18 rest-up0n a bail 19, the ends of which are' pivoted uponthe frame 4. An adjustdevice co rates withthis bail to turn it about its pivots-and thus raise or lower the forward or free ends of lthe'supports 15 and 18. This adjusting device consists of a rod 20 (FigsL 2 and 5) having a bent end 20 extending around one of the slide members of bail- 19 and a hand-nutll threaded upon the end of rod 20 and engagingv the supporting frame 21 therefor to move the rod axially and thus turn the bail 19 on its pivots. The envelops to be sealedv and stamped are placed upon the supports 15 and 18 and by means of the'adjustment device above described the nippel' edge of the forward envelopmay be a )usted to the desired level, ,regardless of the size of the envelop. Y v

Extending between the posts 5 at the forward end of the receptacle, is a plate 22` havi an upwardl extending arm 22 at one si e thereof. i corresponding arm 23 is'secured to the forward end of the sideguide 9, so asv to be laterally adjustable therewith. The sulpports 15 Vand 18 are so ad-` ward the plate 22 so that when the forward envelo is withdrawn the nextV succeeding one w assume this position. A followerblock 24 is adapted to move back andI forth upon the rails 6 and -7 the block for this purpose havin pairs of grooved rollers 24 at its sides aga ted to run on the upper edges of the rais 6 and 7. This followerblock is of considerable weight and when its forward side bears against a stack of funsealed envelops resting upon the supports 15 and 18, as shown in Fig. 4, it presses theforwardenvelop against the plate 22 with considerable p'essure. When placing a pile of envelops 1n position in the unsealed-envelop r receptacle, the \--,follower 24 may be drawn back to a position in w'hich the rear rollers 24 rest upon the concave extensions at the y rear ends of the rails 6, 7, so that the follower is held inthis position.

The machine maybe operated manually or b any 'suitable power-driven devices; in the rawings, I have shown ahand-wheel 25 for this purpose. This wheel is secured upon a shaft 26 (Fig. 2) extending across between the side-frames 2 and 3 and 'ournaled in bearings therein, one end o the shaft being extended through the side-frame 2 to carrythehand-wheel 25 vupon its end. The shaft 26 has a gear 26 secured thereon, meshing with a gear 27 mounted for rotation upon a stud 27 upon the side-frame 2, and gear 27 meshes with a pinion 28 similarly mounted for rotation upon a stud 28. This pinion l28meshes with a ear l29 secured upon a stub-shaft 29'; a so secured upon the stub-shaft 29 are two cams 30 and 31. A link 32` is pivotally connected eccentrically to the outer face of the cam 31 and at its'lower end is connected to a lever 33 ivoted at 33 to the side-frame 2. A simiar lever 34 is pivotally mounted upon the opposite side-frame 3. At their forward or free ends, these levers 33 and 34 carry a pivoted ap-turnin device 35 (Fig. 4) having a spring 35 coi ed about one of the pivots flap out from the bo thereof and arranged to press the upper edge of the member 35 toward the plate 22 or the bodyortionof the forward envelop of the pile a ove the plate.

Mounted upon the end ofthe member 35 is a roller 36 adapted to travel on a suitable way 36 and held against the same by spring 35;'this way is so shaped that when the levers 33 and 34 are turned about their pivots, the 'up er edge of the member 35 is moved vertica ly through a short distance until it enters between the flap vand bodyportion of the forward envelopy and then is raised and moved away from the body-portion of the envelop, sov that member 35 first moves under the ila and then moves the (ly-portion and turns it until it pro'lects u wardly from the bodyportion of t e enve op. v

Between the side-frames2 and 3, the shaft 26 carries a forwarding-roller 37. Directly opposite this roller is a coperating forwarding-roller 37', and below the latter is a roller 38. A plurality of endless belts 38 run upon the rollers 37 and 38, the periphery of the roller 37 being preferably grooved circumferentially to receive these belts so as to provide a smooth surface uponthe roller along the line of co'action with the roller 37.

The rollers 37 and 38 are journaled at their ends in bearings formed in supports 39, (Figs. 2and 3) which are pivoted at 39 to a xard 40 secured to the side-frames. A 11n 41 is pivotally connected at one end to one of the supports 39 and at the other end to the free end of a link 42 pivoted on a stud projecting inwardly from the side-frame 2, and mounted on-thelinks 41 and 42 is a roller-42 which bears upon the surfaces of the cam 31-on the st-ubpivot connectlng the shaft 29. Roller 42 is held in engagement with cam 31 by a spring 41 (Fig. 3) on the opposite side of the machine, Secured at one end to the member 39 and at the other to a stud projecting inwardly from the sideframe 3. p

Y Mounted for rotation upon the pivot 39 of the support 39, is a ygear 43v which meshes with the gear 27 and is driven thereby, and this gear 43 also meshes with a ear 43 on the shaft of the forwarding-ro ler 37', so that rotary motion is communicated from gear 27 to the forwarding-roller 37 in any position of the supports 39 and from that roller to the roller 38 by the belts 38.

Above the forwarding-rollers 37 and 37A is another pair of forwarding-rollers 44 and 44 carried by shafts the ends of which are journaledin bearings in the side-frames 2 and 3 and the guard 40 secured to the frames. The shaft of roller 44 carries a gear 45 which meshes with the gear 27 and the shaft of roller 44 carries a gear 45 which meshes with the gear 43, so that this pair of forwarding-rollers are driven 'whenever the forwarding-rollers 37 and 37 are drive These rollers 44 and 44 are preferably rulriber-covered and are of sectional form', as shown in Fig. 5. The sections of the roller 44 may have the shape of spools, so as pot to press upon the envelops too hard and squeeze moisture out from under the Hap. The sections at the ends of the rollers over the stationary side-guide 7 of the unsealedenvelop receptacle are, however, of cylindrical shape as these sections also serve to press the moistened stamps u on the envelops. Between the two pairs oforwarding rollers and extending between the two sideframes, is a vertically disposed plate 46,`

along which the envelops are fed and which forms a guide therefor.

The moistener for the lenvelop flaps is mounted upon a bar `47 extending between the side-frames, and consists of a trough 48 forL holding water,awick 48 and a moisteningroller 49, to which the water is carried by the wick. The roller 49 has a ysoft absorbent surface and is mounted for rotation in the sides of the trough 48. At'one end of the roller 49 the shaft thereof carries a pinion 49, which meshes with a gear A50 mounted for rotation upon the stud 27 adjacent to.

the gear 27. The trough 48 and parts carried thereby are secured in position upon the lbar 47 by means of screws 50', so that they can be readily removed. Pivotally mounted,

upon the shaft of roller 44 and swinging loosely thereon, are two arms 51 carryingA a presser-roller 52 adapted to hold the Hap of an envelop against the moistening-roller 49. One of these arms 51 is extended upwardly, as shown at 51 Fig. 3, and is pivotally connected to a link 52, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected to one end of a link 52z pivoted upon the frame of the mav'chine and carrying at its opposite end a roller bearing upon the peripheryfof a cam 53. The roller is held against the periphery of the cam by `a spring/512 secured at one end to the link 52 and at the other to the frame. The shaft of this cam is `actuated to make one revolution each time an envelop is fed through the machine inv thema-nner hereinafter described, and in such revolution rocks the link 522 and the arms 51 and thus moves the presser-roller 52 to the left in Fig. 4 to such position that it lies over and close to the roller 49 and holds the flap of the velop against that roller.

On the shaft of the roller 44, alongside the gear 45, is a pinion 54 meshing with an idler-pinion 54, which meshes with a gear mounted on'a stub-shaft 55" on the sideframe 2. This stub-shaft also carries a mutilated gear` 56 and a notched disk 56. Thel mutilated gear 56 is adapted to mesh with a pinion 57 secured on a shaft 58 mounted for rotation'in suitable bearings secured on the.

side-frames. pAt the side of the gear 57,

is a disk 57 having a tooth 57? (Fig.l 11). which coacts with the notchedy disk ,56' on the stub-shaft 55', to lock shaft 58 against rotation .after it has made one compl-ete revolution, due to the coaction of the mutilated gear 56 and the pinion 57. Secured on shaft 58 is a finger 59, which, when the shaft is rotated, engages a stud 59 on :a

vrock-shaft 60, one end of which is mounted for rotation in a bearing formed by countersinkin and t e other end of which is similarly mounted in a bearing supported on the sideframe 3. A spiral spring 60 is coiled about one'end of shaft `60 and arranged to rock it in the direction opposite to that in which. it is rocked by the finger 59. Secured on shaft 60 are a plurality of'lifters 61, adapted to be moved under the lower edge of an envelop just as that ed e is passing out from between the forwar ing-rollers 44 and 44 andflift the envelop t6 the level of the sealed-envelop receptacle. The shape of these lifters 1s shown in Figs. 4, 11 and 12 from which it willv be seen that each has a finger adapted to rest upon the shaft ofthe forwardin `-roller 44 between. the sections of that ro ler. The lifters 61 are normally held in the position in which theyv are shown in Fig.4'by the spring 60, but when the mutilated gear 56 engages the pinion 57 and rotates shaft 58 through one complete revolution, the tin er 59 engages the stud 59 and rocks shaft 60 against the tension of spring 60 through nearly a'quarter of a revolution. At the conclusion of this movement of the lifters, the fingers at the ends thereof pass through slots in f the forward edge of the' sealed-envelop receptacle 62, these slots being shown at 62 Fig. 1.

The tray 62consists of asheet-metal plate flanged upwardly at its rear and lateral edges,*supported upon the side-frames of the machine and upon a bar f' 63 extending between the frames. 1A vertically disposed rear wall-plate 64 'is' Y*adapted to move over the'upper face,of the tray 62 and is pressed forwardly bya spring. -F or this purpose, thewall-plate64has an integral horizontal extension at the lower edge thereof, in which are slots to receive and permit movement of .a pair of screws 64 secured upon the ends of a pair of links 65' which are pivotally connected at theirmear ends to the ends of a pair'of similar links 65. The rear ends the inner end of the stub-shaft 55 of these links have studs thereon passing through slots in .the tray 62 and connected by a spiral spring 6G.- Also, the links 65 are pivotally connected at the center thereof and this pivot extends through a slot in the tray G2 extending lengthwise thereof. By means of this construction, the spring 66 acts upon the links to draw them toward a position of parallelism and thus constantly press the wall -Hplate 64 forwardly upon the tray 62.' At` its forward ed e. -the tray 62 has a downwardly turned ange 67, and, directly in rear of this, aV plurality of openings 67 Fig. 1). One member of a hinge' 68 1s secured to the rear side of the flange 67, adjacent vto each oit-he openings 67 ,.vand the movable member of 'each' hinge is pressedy vupwardly through the openin 67 by a suitable sprin v The forward wa l-plate 69 of the seale envelop Areceptacle is movable from a osition tothe r1 ht of the hinges 68 in Fig'. 4

as shown by t e dotted lines, to the position shown in that figure in full lines to the left of the hinges, and for this purpose is carried by arms 69 adapted to reciprocate in guides 70 formed on the side-frames. Pivotally .connected to the'endsof these arms are links 70', (Figs. 1 and 2) the endsy of which are ivotallyconnected, eccentrieally, to'disks g1 onv the ends of the shaft 58. Extending between the side-frames, directly above the shaft 58, is a bar 72, havi a slot therein through which extends the rslank of a handnut v72 for vsecuring to the bar 72, in any adjusted position, a strip 73 having arms extending outwardly therefrom and carrying pivoted fingers 73 which can be turned about their pivots upwardly from the position shown 1n Fi" v4, but not downwardly. The vertical vgalplate 69 has openings therein, as shown" in Figs. 4 and 5, throu h which the 'fingers 73 ma pass whent e wall -plate is reciprocated. As thus constructed, the pile o f unsealed. envelops is y placed in the receptacle therefor as above described and pressed forwardly therein by the follower-block 24. The drive-shaft 26' is then rotated'by means ofthe hand-wheel thereon, and through th e gearing 26 27, 28 and 29, drives the cam 3 1, and byomeans of the link 32 and levers v33l reciprocates the dap-turnin .member35 This member when raised vertically catches under the flap of the forward envelop and then moves outwardly and upwardly, turning the `flap about the body-portion of the ',envelop. As these movements progress, the c'am 31 actuates link, 41 to turn the members 39 about Atheir ivots 39 and thus move the rollers 37 and away from the roller 37; At the same time, the rollers 37 and 38 are rotated by means of the gears 27, 43 and 43', and the belts 38'. The end of the Hap of the envelop,

, gear 50 and pinion 49', this rotation o the envelop is drawn upwardly from the envelop pile in the 'receptacle and passed upwardly alongthe plate 46. y

, As the body-portion of the envelop enters between the forwarding-rollers 37 andI` 37", the flap, being then released turns at a slight angle to the plane of the body-portion and paes between the moistening-roller 49 and the presser-roller 52, it bei guided, if necessary by the edge of the molstener tray, and when a portion of the body of the envelop has passed between the rollers 37 and 37 the entire gummed portion of the flap has passed between the Inoistening and pressin rollers. The roller 52 is then moved to the le in Fig. 4 by the cam 53, as hereinafter described, to cause the gummed portion of the flap to move downupon the roller 49,'which is kept moist by the wick 48 and water supply 1n the trough 48. The pressure of the roller 52 upon the fiap is very light, it being only necessary to insure good contact of the gummed portion of the iiap with the moistening-roller 49. The moistening roller 49 is rotated throughout this movement of the envelofp by the roller insuring proper moistening of the-gum upon the flap. The continued rotation of the forwarding-rollers 37 and 37 causes the body-portion of the envelop to move vertically upward along the plate 46 and between that plate and the presser-roller 52, the flap of the envelop being drawn from betweenA the presser-roller and the moistening-roller as the'upward movement of the body-portion progresses. Finally, the upper edge of the envelqp is gripped between the forwardingrollers 44 and 44', and the envelop is carried along in its upward movement thereby. The pressure of these two forwardi rollers u on the envelop need not besuc'lent to e ect p a reliable sealing of the envelop, this sealing being performed in the sealed-envelop 're-- 'ce tacle. As the body-portion kof the enve op is gripped by the forwarding-rollers 44 and 44, the forward wall plate 69 of the receptacle is in the forward position, as cated by the, dotted lines in Fi 4, so that envelop can pass up in rear o this plate.

Just as the lower edge of the envelopv 115 passes from between the rollers 44 and 44', the mutilated gear 56 comes into mesh with the pinion 57 and thus actuates shaft 58 to makeone revolution.: At the beginning of' this revolution, the member 59 engages the 12o vstud 59 on shaft 60 and rocks thatA shaft against' the tension of spring 60, this rocking movement of shaft 60 causing the 61 to turn about the axis of the shaft as a pivot. In making this turning movement, 125 the fingers at the lower ends of the lifters 61 take under the lower ed e of the envelop and raise the envelop untilV the fingers pass through the slots 62 in the plate 62. As. the

turning movement of shaft 58 continues, the 'lsu vais consists of a engagement withthe flap o wall-plate 69 is moved rearwardly by means of the disks 71, links and arms 69', and carries the envelop with it to the sition shown in full lines in Fig. 4. As the? wallplate 69 is thus moved, the envelop engages the fingers 73 and the movable members of the hinges 68 and turns these parts upon their pivots, but as soon as the envelop at the' rear side of plate 69 passes them they return 4to their initial positions, the fingersl 73 under theinuence of gravity and the movable members of the hinges 68 under the tension of their springs.v As the one revolution of shaft 58 is completed, the plate 69 is returned to its initial position, that shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4; but the envelop is notJ returned with it, as its lower edge is caught by the hin es 68 and its upper edge by the fingers 73. plate 69 has moved the envelop upon the plate 62, the stud 59 is released by the meme`r 59 and the rock- Shaft 60 carrying the litters 61 is then returned to its original position by the spring 60f, the tin ers of the lifters then re'sting upon the sha of roller 44 between the sections of that roller. All the parts are then in position to receive and forward the next succeeding envelop. As the pile of envelops upon the plate 62 increases, the rear wall-plate 64 is moved backward a ainst the tension of spring 66, and

this'sprmg at all times presses plate 64 for` ward and exerts sniicient ressure upon the envelope to insure eectualy sealing them.

The stamps are aflixed to the envelops as they pass between the rollers 44 and 44. In order to guard against wasting stamps, I provide means for controllin the actuation of the stamp-feeding and a in ism, such that this mechanism wil be actuated only when an envelop is in. sition to be fed throu h the machine. his means eeler 74 lying between the side frames directly over the forward envelop in the unsealed-envelop receptacle and adapted to reciprocate unrestrictedly in which case the stamp-aftxing mechanishm will not operate, or, onbeing reciprocated tocome 'into the forward envelopl when the latter has been turned by `the ap-turnng member 35 and, by having its movement restricted thus, to permit the stamp-aixing fmechanism to operate.

Along one edge o eeler 74 are a number of grooves (Fig.` 6) to receive the beltsV 38 at theend of the movement of the feeler to the left in Fi 2 when that.y movement is unrestricted. eeler 74 is carried by arms 74 pivotally mounted upon the' side-frames of the machine, and one of these arms v(that shown in Figs. 2 and 9) is extended upwardly beyondits pivot and has a 75'connected to its end, the other en of t e spring bein secured to a stud upon the side-fran'ie. The ower endv of this arm 74 is pivotally s soon as the wallmechan-- connected toa 'link 76, the'other end of which is pivotally connected to alink 76,

the other end of whichvis carried by a short shaft 762 rotatable in an opening in sidei frame 2. Stud 762 may have a handle 76a secured thereon for restricting the movement of the feeler manually in starting or testing the machine. On the link 76 is a roller 7 7', which bears upon the periphery ofthe cam 30. The link 76 has an offset 77 thereon.v The side-frame 2, or a member secured thereto, has a hub 77 (Fig. 6) formed therein,

'in which a short rod 78 is ada ted to reciprocate, and this rod has a note 7 8 adapted to receive the oset 77 A spring 7 9.is secured at one end toa stud on the rod 78 and at the other end to the hub 77, so that it normally holds rod 78 in such position that the slot 78l therein is in line with the olset 77, and a' slot inthe hub, furthermovementof the rod under-the influence of the spring being prevented lyghe head of the rod engaging the end o je hub'. It will be'seen that as the machin is o erated, cam 30 is rotated and by me s o the links 76 and 76 the feeler, 74 is reeiprocated. If the movex ment 'of the feeler is unrestricted, the offset' 7 7 will 4enter the slot in the stud 78 each time the feeler 74 moves toward the belts 38 However, if the iiap o an envelo has been turned about the body of the enve op so that it lies in the path ofthe feeler 74, t emovement of the latter will be arrested before the offset 77 enters slot 78. In the former case, rod 78 is held against longitudinal movement in hub 77 and in the latter case it is free to move. A

Pivotally connected to the inner end of rod 78, is a'clutch-lever 80, (Fi 6 and 9)- the opposite end of which is bi urcated and enters a peripheral groove in a clutch-member 80' loose upon a shaft 81, one end of which is mounted for rotation in a bearin formedby counter-sinking the inner end o stub-shaft 29', and the other end of vwhich is similarly mounted in a bearing in the sideframe 3. The clutch-member 80 has a ro- 'jection 82 thereon adapted to be engage Vby a stud 82 on the inner side of gear 29. The clutchlever 80 also carries roller 83 ada ted to ride upon a cam surface 88 forme -on the inner face of gear 29. Clutchgmember 80 has fingers thereon adapted to-enter slots Vfeel'er, rod 78 is held against movement and roller 83, riding up the cam surface 83 on gear 29 as the latter-is rotated, causes clutchis of iso . therefore remains at rest; if, however, the

29', the rotation of sha t 29 causi feeler is arrested in such position that the offset 77 does not enter notch 78', this movement of clutch-member 80 will not take place, but instead the spring 84 will hold clutch-member 80 against the face of gear.

29, and when roller 83 vvrides up the cam surface, the floating clutch-lever 80 will be turned so as to move rod7 8 inwardly of the machine in its hub 77. In this latter case, as gear 29 rotates, the stud 82 thereon will engage the rojection 82 on t-he clutch-member 80, and) this member being locked with the sleeve 84, will cause shaft 81 to rotate. 'lhe shaft 81 will make one complete revolution, at the end of which time asimilar movement of the parts will take place, the presence of the envelop Hap in the path of the feeler determining whether or not the rotation of shaft 81 will be continued, and the rotation of shaft 81 being continuous if an envelop flap sturned at each upward movement' of member 35.

e Secured on shaft 81, is a cam 85 (Figs. 6 and 10) and cooperating therewith is a roller 85 carried by an arm 86 secured on a shaft 86 which is mounted for rotation in suitable bearings on the side-frames. Shaft 86' carries. a ratchet wheel 87 having ratchet teeth oh substantially half of its periphery, preferably ten in number.` These teeth are.

so securedv on shaft over half of its periphery. This mutilated gear is adapted tol mesh with a similar mutia ed ar. 88. secured on stub shaft 29 at the si e of the gear 29. `These mutilated gears are so 'positioned that when shaft 86 as been turned step and-ratchet mechanism as far as it can be soA turned, the gear 88 is in position to be engaged b the gear 88 and is so engaged when the atter 1s brou ht around by shhag s a 86 to turn through substantially alf va revolution, and bringing the -pawl -andratchet to the position for fur-` ther operation. Loom on shaft 86 is a sleeve 89 lying between two collars 90 and 90%,; which are fsecured upon the shaft. A oating clutch-lever 91 is bifurcated at its ends and at lone end is pivot-all connected to the sleeve 89. .The bifurca other end ofthe' lever extend into a ri hf eral groove in a clutch-member Y91", w ic is s lined upon the shaft 81 and normally rawn ,toward the cam 85 by a spring`92.

enga y a spring-pressed 'awl 87 carried ithe arm 86. AAl p t mug 86. 1s a mutilated gear 88 having gear teeth 'being provi ed wltlr a stud lentering the by step by the pawlyarms at theV This clutch-member has a stud 92 on one side thereof, adapted to en age a stud 93 on one side of a cam 93. T e clutch-member 91 is moved in one kdirection or the other by raisedportions formed on the collars 90, 90 which are adapted to alternately en a rollers N951 on the Mlever 91 (Figs. ty an 6 The cam 93 is extended on the side opposite that carr ing the stud 93, and at the end of this exten ed portion hasa projection95 (Figs. 6 and 7E formed thereon, adapted to reciprocate a b ock 96. 1

lSecured on shaftf86 is a disk 95 having a notch out therein into-which the endof the block 96 may move when the block is engaged by the raised portion 95. This disk 95 forms alocking-plate to prevent the reciprocation of the block 96 except at the proper time. Shaft 86 is` extended beyond its bearing and immediately inside the sideframe 3 carries a crank 97having pivotally connected thereto a link 97 which at its other end is pivotally connected to a gearsector 98 ivotally mounted upon the side frame 3. e with those of a pinion 98 carried by a shaft Amounted for rotation upon an auxiliary frame 111 secured to the side-frame 3 and this shaft carries a gear 99 meshing with a pinion 99 on a similarly mounted vstubshaft 100, which at its inner end carries a bevel-gear 101 meshing with a bevel-pinion 102. This pinion is secured upon the end of a shaft 103 mounted for rotatlon in suitable bearings formed in the auxiliary frame, the frame and shaft being disposed at an incline as shown in Fig. 7. Shaft 103 has a iral glroove cut therein1 (Fig. 7) and extends an ning in a block 104,I this block groove in shaft 103, suchthat rotationof the shaft causes movement of the block axially thereon. Block 104 has a cuttingroller 105 mounted for rotation in a bearing therein, the shaft of which carries a pinion 106 meshing with a rack `107 formed `on the underside of the top plate 108 of the auxiliary frame. Extending u wardly from block 104 at the edge of the p ate 108, is an arm 109 carrying at its upper end a' second cutting-roller 110', `adapted to coact with roller 105.

` Mounted "for rotation-upon the inner side of the plate 111 of the auxiliary frame, are a plurality of rollers 112 shaped as shown in Fig. 8 andV each having a gear formed upon the end thereof. These rollers are arran in line on an incline parallel to the sha 103. Between each palr of adjacent rollers is a pinion 113 mounted om a suitable stub-shaft'and meshing with the gears on the two rollers, so that allof the rollers rotate simultaneously. v The shaft of the lowest one of the 112 is extended through .to that in whi the plate 111 and carries onits'end a pinion 114 '3) meshing with a pinion v115 carilev r 522 is mounted. Fixed to the side ot' pinion 116 is a disk 117 havinga tooth as shown. y

Secured on shaft 81 (Fig. 6) are a muti-Y lated gear 11S-and a notchedv locking plate 119, lthe teeth of gear 118 being adapted to mesh with those of pinion 116 and the locking-plate 119 being adapted /to coact with the toothed-disk 117 to prevent rotation of pi'nion 116 after gear 118 has passed out'of mesh therewith.' vThus when gear 118 engages pinion 116, all of the rollers 112 are rotated by means of the train of gea-ring 116, 115, 114, the gears iixed to the rollers 112, and the pinions 113. each of the rollers 112, is a'similar roller 120, each of these rollers being carried by a small bell-crank lever 121 pivoted upon the plate 111. Each of the rollers 120 is provided with a gear 122 atlthe'end thereof (Fig. 8) mesh- Y ing with the gear on the roller 112 directly overlying it. The downwardly extending end of each of the bell-crank levers 121' enters a notch in a bar 123, to which'is secured the block 96, the latter extendingthrough a slotin the bottom of the auxiliary frame of the rollers and being movable in said slot. This end 'of -each of the bell-cranklevers is also connected by a spring 124 with a stud on the casin these springs serving to turn the bell-cran levers on their pivots and thus press the rollers 120 upwardly toward the rollers .112, when permitted to doso by bar 123. -A U-shaped flat spring 124 vbears at ar 123 and at the one end on the end of other end on the tend-member 'of the auxiliary frame, and serves to move bar 123 and block 96 secured theretoin the opposite direction they are moved by the cam projection 95.` The lowerrnost roller 120 is carried by a lever 125 similar to the bellcrank levers 121 exce t that it is not pro-` vided'witha downwar ly ext-ending end; instead, this lever has a block 126 secured thereto, having a pin 127 threaded into an jopeningv therein, the end of this in engaging 'the upwardly turned end 128 o the bar 123.

Block 126 has a projection which takes over the projectlon 128 but is separated therefrom by a short space, this space being adjustable by turningthe pin 127 in its opening in block 126. Each of the rollers 112 and 120 Imay have at the end thereof and between the Directly underlying' caught in the gearing. The auxiliary framev supporting these rollers is formed to provide a support for a removable moistener for the stamps. This moistener consists ot a watertrough 129 having a roller 130 mounted therein, the surface of this roller being covered with rubber and engaged by the rubbercovered surface of a roller 131 directly overlying it and being above the level the water in the trough. Overlying the roiler 131 is a small roller 132` preferably provided with a corrugated periphery and driveu'by frictional contact with the roller 131. On the shaft of the roller 131 and fixed to the roller is a gear meshing with al gear 13? adapted to mesh with a gear 134 fixed to a roller135 having a knurled surface,this roller being mounted for rotation in a hanger dcpending from the auxiliary frame 111. The

gear 134 meshes with a/gear 136 on the end of the shaft of the forwarding-roller 44. The gearing is so constructed that rollers 44 and 135 rotate at a somewhat higher speed than the rollers 11.2 and 120. so that when u stamp strip is fed along-bythe rollers 112 and 120 until the stamp at the Vend of the strip is grippedby the rollers 41 and 135, this end stamp will be torn from the strip. The stamp will then be forwarded by rolls 44 and 135 to the surface of roll 131, which, being quite moist due to'its engagement with roller 130, serves to moisten the gummed surface of the stamp, such moistening being assured by the roller 132 whichl presses the stamp. against the .surface of roller 131. As the stamp moves out between rollers 131 and 132, it is guided upwardly by a finger 137 on the trough 129 and its edge is projected beyond the end of this finger just as an envelop 1s moved vertically upward along the side of v forwarding-rollers 44 and 44. 'A door 26() may be provided mounted on a hinge, as shown in Fig. 5, in position to close an opening in the side-frame 3 through which opening the moistener forfthe stamps may be withdrawn for inspection and refilling ot' the waterreservoir.

Extending between the side-frame 2 and the auxiliary frame, is a rod 138 (Fig. 4) on which a stamp-tray 139 ,is adapted to move toward and away from the rollers 1,12 and 120. `4At Vone of its lateral edges, this tray is providedwith an upwardly extending flange 140 and at its forward edge it is serrated to correspond with the pair of rollers 112 and 120. Pivotally mounted on a rod supported at one end by a bracket 141 and at the other by the iange 140, is a gripper-plate142, provided with an operating handle 143. The forward edge .of this plate is also serrated as shown in Fig. 1, and a spring 147 is provided coiled about the supi porting rod' of the late and arranged to press tie forward e ge thereof down upon the' sup ort 139 for the sheets of stamps. Pivota y connected to the auxiliary frame, as shown in Fi". 4, is a link 144, the free end 0f which is plvotally connected to a link 145 pivoted on the bottonv of the plate 139. Link 144 carries a roller 146, which enters the oove in the cam 93.

le operation of the mech-:mism for sealing ,the envelops has been above described. T e stam s are axed to the envelops as the pass` etween the forwarding-rollers 44 an( `44. .The operation ofthe mechanism for accomplishing this will now be described. A pile of sheets of stamps are placed u on the tray 139. These are'sheets of a hun red stamps each, the stamps being in ten rows,

.ten in each row, as postage stamps are sold in large quantities. The operator moves the top stamp-sheet forward until its edge is gripped between the serrated fingers on the edges'of the plates 142 and 139. The handle is then turned to operate the machine. As above described, the feeler 74, is reciprocated once for eachupward movementk of the Hapturning member 35. If a flap has not been turned by member 35, the movement of feeler 74 is unrestricted, the offset v77 enters the notchinl rod 78', and, as gear 29 rotates, .the cam thereon shifts thecIutCh-member 80 to such osition that -the projection thereon is out of) the path of stud 82 and shaft 81 remains at rest, theparts being then inthe relation shown in Pig. 6. If the feeler 74 encounters an envelop tlapand is arrested thereby, offset 77 does not enter that notch and the cam on gear 29 operates to move rod 78 in its bearing but does not move clutchmember 80 and theprojection thereon is en-. tgllltged by stud 82'., so that shaft 81 is turned rough one revolution. One or the other of these two movements of the clutch-lever y80 takes place: each timel the flap-turning holding the free end of handle 76 in a raised position until the stamps have reached the proper positions. This being done, shaft 81 will turn when the machine is operated. Now suppose 'that the raised portions on sleeves 90 and 90 hold lever 91'at the begilnning ofthe operation in such position t at the stud 92l von clutch-member 91' lies inthe path of-stud 93 on cam 93', that the notch in the cam 95 is opposite vthe end of block 96, and that the block 104 carrying the cutters is at .the upper end of its inclined ath of movement. As the rotation of shaflt)A sha ftand the raised portion 95 at the end of this camengages the block 96 and moves it to the right in Fig. 7, this block carryin with it the rod 123 against the tension o' Spring 124 and rod 123 turns all ofthe bell-crank levers 121 on their pivots so as to carry the lower linev of rollers 120 away.

from'the upper line of rollers 112 against the tension of the springs 124, such movement of block 96 being permitted byl cam' 95. While rollers 120 are held in this position, the cam 93 actuates link .144 to move the entire stamp-tray 139 forward until the edge of the sheet of stamps between the fingers at the forward edge of the tray lies between the two lines of rollers 112 and 120. lvhile in this forward position, the raised portion 95 on ycam 93passes beyond the projection on the block 96 and the springs 124 and 124 may then,v force rod 123 and block 96 back to their original positions, thus permitting the bell-crank levers 121'to be turned on their. pivots by springs 124 and to carry rollers 120-upwardly until they grip the edge of the sheet of stamps between them and the rollers 112. Cam 93 then moves tray 139 back to itsk original position. At this time the mutilated gear 88 is in position to be engaged by the mutilated gear 88', and just as the tray` 139 is retracted, gear 88 engages gear 88 and rotates shaft 86 through one-half of a revolution. `Thisoperates through crank 97, link 97', sect'r-'gear I98 andl the gears driven thereby; to rotate the rod 103 and the latter by means of the spiral groove therein, moves the cutter-block 104'from the upper end of its path of movement down to the lower end; during such movement of the block, the pinion 106 and rack 107 operate to rotate the lower cutter-roller 105. The cut- 81 begins, cam 93 is locked. to the ter-rollers thus cut the row of stamps at the edge of the stamp sheet from the sheet, this strip of stamps being held between the two lines of rollers 112 and 120. As the cutterblock reaches the end of its downward movement, the mutilated geary 118 comes into mesh with the pinion 116 and, through the pinions 115 and 114, the gearson the rollers 112 and 120 andthe inions 1.13 meshin therewith, causes all of) the rollers 112 an 120 to be rotated-enough to feed the stampstrip 'until the end stam thereofpasses 1n 135. These rollers operated, an as Ythe rollers 112 and 120 come to rest, these rollers sever the end stamp from the stri and forward it to the roller 131. The sur ace of this roller is kept 137 This finger guides the stamp upwardly against the advancing envelop and the stamp is pressed upon-the envelop by roller 44.'

` After shaft V86 has completed the half 'revolution and the'mutilated gear 88' has passed out of the path of movement of the teeth of mutilated gear 88', the awl 87 is in 'osition to en ge the teeth o ratchet 87 an at each revo ution of shaft 81, cam 85 actuates arm 86 t-o' cause pawl 87 to. actuate ratchet'87 the distance equal to the length of one tooth. Shaft 86 is thus turned through a half revolution. in as many steps' as` there are teeth on ratchet 87, and by means of crank 97 and link 97 sector 98 is turned upon its pivot in the opposite direction to that in which it was moved as above described. Thus, rod 103 is rotated in the' opposite direction and the cutter-block 104 is moved upwardly in a series of steps, such upward movement merely returning it to the position which it formerly occupied in order that it may cut from the sheet another line of stamps when the sheet has been forwarded to brin its edge between the two lines of rollers. ach of these step-by-step movements takes place when shaft 81 makes a complete revolution and shaft 86' a por- Ation of a revolution corresponding to the length of one off the ratchet teeth and during each of such revolutions of shaft 81 the rollers 112 and 120'are rotated to feed the stamp-strip between them forward the length yof one stamp. After ten such operations the stamp-strip is exhausted and on thenext revolution of shaft 81 .the muti" lated gears 88 'and 88 come into mesh and the parts are `again actuated as above described to feed the stamp-sheet forward to insert another strip between rollers 112 and 120 and then sever this strip from. the sheet. When bar 123 is moved to vthe right in Fig. 7 against thetensmion offs ring 124', the roller 120 at 'the lowerl en of the line is not moved away kfrom the roller directly overlying it immediately as are the other rollers 120, due to the slight separation of the projection 128on bar 123 and the' projection on blockl2. The end pair of stamp-feeding rollers are thus pressed toge'ther so that they hold the last stamp of` the stampfstrip until the forward edge of that stamlhas been gripped by the rollers 44 and 135, and by means of the screw ,127

the separation of these projections can be so adjusted that this end pair of rollers will hold the stamp right up'to the time when they must be separted to permitgthe edge of the stamp-tray 139 toenter between them.

I do not wish to be understood aslimited to the construction which I have herein' for aiixing s shown and described, as this may be modi@ liedv in many ways while still retaining some or all of the features of my invention; also I wish it understood that though vI have described the machine as adapted particularly stampsfupon envelops, itl is applicable a o for use in allixing labels of various kinds, 'as for instance', aixing address labels to newspapers and other packages. All such v modifications I consider within the sco e of my invention and I aim to'cover them by the terms of the claims appended hereto.

Having described my invention what I claiml and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. The combination of stamp-aiiixing mechanism, a support for a pile of envelops, means for turning the flap of an envelop,

and lmeans'coactmg with said Hap whenv turned for controlling the operation of' said stamp-.ailixing mechanism, substantially as described.

2. The vcombination of 'a stamp-aixing mechanism, a support for a pile of envelops, means for turning the a of an envelop, a reciprocating feeler and) means depen ent upon the coaction of said feeler and flap for-ontrollingthe operation of saidmechanism, substantially as described.

3. The combinationl of a stamp-aflixing mechanism, a support for a pile of envelops,

a flap-turning member, means for reciprocatlng the same to turn ,the flaps of the envelops on said support successively, a

feeler, meansfor operating thesame, and means dependent upon thecoaction of said feeler and the 'lap of an envelop fer controlling the operation of said mechanism, y

substantially as described.

4. The combination of stamp-aliix'ing mechanism, a support for a pile of envelops, ,a flap-turning member, means for reciprocating the same t'o carrit7 its edge between the flap'and body-portion of au envelop and then move away from the body-portion to turn the flap relatively thereto, land means coacting with said flap when turned for controlling-the operation of said stamp-affixing mechanism, substantially as described.

5. The combination of' stamp-atlixing mechanism, a support for a pile of envelops, means forturning the fiap of anrenvelop, means coactingwith said flap when turned for controlling the operation of` said stampafliting mechanism, means for' forwarding the envelop and' sealing devices for sealing the envelop flan, substantially as described.z

6. The combination of stamp-aixing mechanism, a support for a pile of envelops,` a support for the stampedenvelops. means for 'feeding the envelops successively by a continuous movement from said first-named support to `the last-named support, a feeler,

gagement of said feeler with an envelo tro means for operatin into coaction with t e envelops, and means actuated by said feeler vfor controlling the operation of said stam -aflixing mechanism, substantially as descrillfed. i

7. The combination .of stamp-aflixing mechanism, a support for a pile ofenvelops, a flap turning member, means for operating the same to turn the flaps of envelops successively', and a reciprocating feeler adapted to coact' with the flaps of the envelops when the same are turned, said feeler permitting said stamp-alixing mechanism to operate when it engages an envelop and preventing such operation when it does not engage an envelo substantially as described.

8. 'I ie combination of stamp-'aixing mechanism, a support for a pile of envelops, means for feedin envelops from said support` a moistener or the envelop aps, sealf ing devices for sealing the envelops, a feeder adapted to coact with the envelops and means for reciprocating the same, the enconling the operation' of said stamp-a Xing mechanism, substantially as described.

9. The combination of stamp-ailixing mechanism, a support for a pile of envelops, means for feeding the envelops therefrom, a feeler independent of said feeding means, means for operating the feeler to carry it into coaction with the envelops while the latter are beingiforwardedby said feeding means, and means actuated by saidfeeler for controlling the operation'of said stampatlitin mechanism, substantially as descri 10. The combination of stamp-ailixing mechanism, a support for a pile of envelops, means for feeding the envelops therefrom,

a feeler independent of said feeding means,

means for reciprocating the feeler, said feelerv being ada ted to have its reciprocatory movement limited byv the envelops while the latter are being forwarded by said feeding means, and means actuated by'said feeler for controlling the operation of said stampailiiigi mechanism, substantially as descri 11. The combination of stamp-aixing mechanism, a support for a pile of envelops, l

a su port for the stamped envelops, means for `eeding the envelops successively by a continuous movement from said first-named support to the last-named support, mechan-l ism for feeding stamps successively to said atlixin mechanism from sheets consisting of a p urality of rows of stamps and a plurality of stamps in each row, and means coacting with the envelops fed by said envelopf means for controlling the operation of said stamp-atlxing mechanism, substantially as described.

12. The combination of a support for a the feeler to carry itf` pile of envelops, means for turning the flaps of the envelops successively, feeding devices for the envelops, mechanism for feeding stamps successively from sheets consisting of a plurality of rows of stamps and a plurality of stamps in each row, a movable feeler and o rating devices therefor and means depengeeent u on the coaction of said feeler and an enve op llapfor controlling the operation of said stamp-feeding mechanism, substantially as described.

13. The combination of a support for a pile of envelops, means for lturning the flaps f of the envelops successively, feeding devices for the envelops, mechanism for feedin stamps successively from sheets consisting'o a lurality of rows of stamps and a plura ity ostamps in each row, a feeler, means for reciprocating the same, and means dependentupon the coaction of said feeler and an envelop flap for controlling'the operation of said stamp-feeding mechanism, substantiallyv as described.

14. The combination of a support for ,a pile of envelops, means for turning the flaps of the envelops successively, stamp-feeding means'for feeding stamps successively from sheets consisting of a plurality of rows of stamps and a plurality of stamps in'each row, stamp-afixin mechanism, and means coacting with the aps of the envelops when turned for controlling the operation of said stamp-aixing mechanism, substantially as described.'

15. The combination of 1a support for a pile of envelops, means foi turning the flaps Aof tlieenvelops successively, automatic feed'w of rows of Stamps and a plurality of stampsv in each row, devices dependent uponl the tiaps ofthe envelo s when turned for controlling the operation of the stamp-feeding mechanism, and means for aflixing stamps to the envelops, substantially as described.

16. In a stamp-aixing machine, two rollers, a feeder for a. vstam -strip and means for automatically operating said feeder to insert a stamp-strip between said rollers, bringing the rollers together upon the strip, operating the rollers intermittently to feed thel strip step by step between them,'and separating the rollers to receivey a new strip, substantially as described. l

17. In a stamp-ailixing machine, two rollers, a feeder for a stamp-strip, means for automatically separating said rollers, .operating sa-id feeder to insert a stamp-strip between the rollers, bringing the rollers together-upon the strip and operating the rollers to feed the stri a moistener coacting with the stamps so ed, and means for axing the stamps, substantially as described.

lio

19. In a stamp-afixing machine, two roll-J lersbetween .which the end row of a sheet of stamps is adapted to be inserted, a cutter movable in the direction of the length of vsaid row, means for feeding the sheet of stamps intermittently, means for moving the cutter to sever therow of stamps between said rollers from the sheet, and means for returning said cutter to initial position step by step and simultaneously rotating said rollers, substantially as described. I

20. In a stamp-afiixing machine, two rollers, a feeder, means for operating the same to insert a stamp-sheet between said rollers,

, a cutting device, means for moving said device in the direction of the length of the stamp-strip between said rollers, andmeans for rotating said cutting device in such movement to sever the stamp-strip between the rollers from the remainder of the sheet, substantially asl described.

21. In a stamp-aiiixing machine,two rollers, a feeder for a stamp-strip, and means for automatically separating said rollers,

moving the feeder to insert a stamp-strip between the rollers, moving` the rollers together to grip the strip, withdrawingthe feeder land operating therollers intermittently to feed the stamp-strip step by step between them before separating the rollers again to receive another st`rip, substantially as described.

22. In a'stamp-aixing machine, two rollers,.a feeder for a stamp-sheet, means for automatically separating said rollers, operating the feeder to insert a stamp-strip'be? tween the rollers and bringing the rollers together upon the strip, means for cutting the strip from the sheet while the strip is held by said rollers," and means for operating the rollers intermittently to feed the strip step by step between them before separating the rollers again to receive another strip, substantially as described.

23. In a stamp-aixing machine, means for forwarding envelops through the machine, a su port fora' sheet of stamps, stampfeeding ro 1ers, a feeder for the stamp sheet, means for operating the feeder to conduct the end of the sheet between said rollers, means for severing thestrip of stamps between the rollers from the sheet, means for operating said rollers tol feed the strip` of stam' s, a pair of rollers rotating at higher Spee than said rollers for severing the in-v dividual stamps, a stamp moistener and means for rolling the stamps upon the enveli: ps as the envelops pass through the machine, substantially as'described.v

24. In a stamp aiiixing machine, means for forwarding envelops through themachine, a support for a sheet of stamps, stampfeeding rollers, a feeder for the stamp-sheet, means for operating the feeder to feed the end strip of the sheet between said rollers, means rfor Severin the strip of stamps between the rollers rom the sheet, means for operating said rollers to feed the strip of stamps, means for severing the individual stamps of the strip, a stamp moistener and means for rolling the stamps upon the en I velops as the envelops pass through the machine, substantially as described.

25. In a stamp ,aiiiXing machine, a support for a stamp s`heet, a pair of rollers,

means. for inserting the edge of said sheet between said rollers, means for severing the stampestrip between the rollers from the sheet, means for operating said .rollers to feed the stamp strip, a second pair of rollers between which the stamp stri means for rotating the last name rollers at higher speed than said first named pair, to sever the individual stamps of the strip, a stamp-moistener, and aroller to which the stamps are fed by` said rollers adapted to rol'l the stamps upon the envelops, substantially as described.

26. In a stamp-aixing machine, a support for a stamp sheet, a pair of rollers, means lfor separating said rollers, inserting the ed e of said sheet between the rollers and bringing the rollers together upon vthe sheet, means for severing the strip etween the rollers from the sheet, means for operat- 1n pair of rollers between which the stamp strip dpasses, .means or rotating said last name pair of rollers at higher speed than said first named pair to sever theindividua/ll stam sof the stri a stamp-moistener, andv a rol er to which t e stamps are' fed by said rollers adapted to roll the stamps upon the envelops,y substantially as described.

27. The combination of means for feeding 115 envelops successively along a predetermine path, a support for a stamp-sheet consisting of a plurallty of rows of stamps and a plurality of stamps i'n each row, means for severing the stamps of said sheet and feeding theiisuccessively along a path intercepting said? envelop path, a moistener for the stamps, a roller located at` the junction of said paths adapted to roll the stam s upon the envelops, and means for control ing the operation of the stamp-feeding means dependent upon the enve ops, substantially as described. f

28. The combination of a support fora passes, pair of said rollers to feed the st rip, a secondv of a-plurality of rows of stamps and a plurality of stamps in each row, means for severf ing the stamps of said sheet and feeding them successively along a path intercepting said path, a. pair of rollers located at the junctlon of said paths, one on either side of the envelop path and adapted to roll the Patent Oce.

[sun] Correction in Letters Patent No. 945,744.

stamps upon the envelops, and means actu-v ated by the envelops for controlling .the feedin of the stamps, substantially as del scribe Vv15 v This specification signed and witnessed this 16th day of March19v07.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 945,744, granted January-11, 1910, upon the application of Ernest J. Brasseur, of Chicago, Illinois, for an improve: ment in Envelop-Sealing and Stamp-Alxing Machines, an error appears in the printed specication requiring correctionl as follows: Page 10, line 21, the word feeder should readfeeler; and that the `seid Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the seme' may conform to the record of the oase in the Signed and sealed this 8th day of February, A. `D., 1910i E. B. MOORE,

of Patents.

of a-plurality of rows of stamps and a plurality of stamps in each row, means for severf ing the stamps of said sheet and feeding them successively along a path intercepting said path, a. pair of rollers located at the junctlon of said paths, one on either side of the envelop path and adapted to roll the Patent Oce.

[sun] Correction in Letters Patent No. 945,744.

stamps upon the envelops, and means actu-v ated by the envelops for controlling .the feedin of the stamps, substantially as del scribe Vv15 v This specification signed and witnessed this 16th day of March19v07.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 945,744, granted January-11, 1910, upon the application of Ernest J. Brasseur, of Chicago, Illinois, for an improve: ment in Envelop-Sealing and Stamp-Alxing Machines, an error appears in the printed specication requiring correctionl as follows: Page 10, line 21, the word feeder should readfeeler; and that the `seid Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the seme' may conform to the record of the oase in the Signed and sealed this 8th day of February, A. `D., 1910i E. B. MOORE,

of Patents.

,744, granted January 11, 1910, of Chicago, Illinois, for an improve- Stamp-Axng Machines, an error appears in the Page 10, line 21, the Word Patent should be read with he record of the case in the E. B. MOORE,

00mm' of Patents. 

